Chomarat will present a small version of the VX-1 KittyHawk aircraft for the first time at JEC Europe 2014 that will take place from 11-13 March in Paris.

This aircraft, designed by VX Aerospace, has a unique shape as it has no wings, which was made possible thanks to C-Ply, Chomarat’s advanced composite reinforcement material.

Blended wing aircraft

The shape of the KittyHawk has numerous advantages over traditional designs, according to the company, such as greater useable internal volume, greater payload capability, better structural efficiency, better durability and better manufacturability.

The construction is thus facilitated as this design will have fewer parts and therefore be easier to assemble. In addition, the aircraft can be scaled to accommodate the intended mission. Manned or unmanned, the VX-1 KittyHawk’s massive internal volume is a huge advantage, the company believes.

Smaller footprint

It is expected to have a smaller footprint than other aircraft when based on payload capability. “The volume will also allow KittyHawk to lead the way in adopting CNG (compressed natural gas) as an aviation fuel. Existing technology CNG tanks fit inside the aircraft with no aerodynamic compromise,” commented Bob Skillen, VX Aerospace’s CEO.

“At less than 1/3 the cost of avgas, the KittyHawk will have unparalleled operational economy with emissions that are 40% cleaner.”

First VX Aerospace aircraft with C-Ply

The unique shape of the KittyHawk is made structurally efficient with the use of advanced composite reinforcement materials from Chomarat. C-Ply is the enabling material for VX Aerospace to use its established hand lay-up and oven curing processes to economically achieve properties similar to autoclave cured UD (uni-directional) prepreg and automatically placed tape prepreg.

The C-Ply material is said to be durable to handle during lay-up, drapeable to accommodate the compound curvatures, and can be manufactured to fully optimise the design relative to fibre angles and ply weights to yield a low weight, high performance, and low cost final solution, the company reports.

“C-Ply is the first true advance in carbon fabrics in a long time. It is designed to optimise fibre performance, said Bob Skillen.

Collaborative work

The VX-1 KittyHawk is an aircraft which combines the demonstrated advantages of blended wing aircraft of the past with state of the art design, materials and manufacturing techniques of today. According to Chomarat, this unique configuration is dynamically stable and aerodynamically efficient.

“Chomarat and VX Aerospace have developed a close working relationship, where Chomarat provides enabling material and VX provides important commercial feedback and testing that has helped define our directional priorities in the development of C-Ply,” said Brian Laufenberg, President of Chomarat North America.

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